Purple Classic ends with GCU split

Sunday, February 23

Phoenix, Ariz.

12:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-11

Drake

7-7

Drake

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Takashi Sato

2/23/2020 9:08:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Lopes defeat Drake, fall to CSU Northridge

After missing a full day of games in the Purple Classic due to rain on Saturday, Grand Canyon split two games on Sunday with a 6-1 against Drake before falling 8-4 to CSU Northridge.

"I'm really happy we were able to get the win over a very good Drake team, who beat us earlier in the tournament and also last year," GCU head coach Ann Pierson said. "They are a tournament team so it's a great win for our program.

"We had a really great week of practice last week leading into this weekend. We saw a lot of growth with the kids one through twenty-one and we are just going to keep working. There are still some things we need to tighten up, but I was really pleased with their week of work and their energy this weekend. We just need to continue to clean some things up and I feel that when we get all parts in sync things are going to be going well and I really like our chances to win a bunch of ball games when we get there, "continued Pierson.

"We saw a few different kids get parts of their game going and that was really exciting and refreshing for them to see their hard work paying off. I love the chemistry of this team and the way they are always pulling for each other. I like our chances and I am proud of this group they are grinders and we are looking forward to getting another good work week in before we go to Fullerton"

GCU struck first in the bottom of the second inning as the Lopes drew two walks and then a single up the middle by sophomore left fielder Gianna Nicoletti loaded the bases. Junior third baseman Kaylee Dietrich singled through the left side to give the Lopes their first run.

In the bottom of the fourth inning GCU added one more run as freshman center fielder Mickey Covarrubio drew a bases loaded walk for the Lopes.

The Bulldogs scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. GCU tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Nicoletti drew a led off walk then advanced to second on a passed ball and stole third for the Lopes. Another passed ball allowed Nicoletti to score as Covarrubio drew a walk. A double to left center by freshman right fielder Jaiden Reid gave the Lopes their second run of the inning. A pinch-hit single by junior Taylor Olsen brought home Reid. The Lopes picked their final run of the game off of a single my freshman second baseman Kristin Fifield brought home Olsen.

Junior pitcher Ryan Denhart threw the complete game and earned her first win of the season.

Lopes come up short with CSUN

In the final game of the Purple Classic the Lopes squared off with the Matadors of CSUN.

Freshman center field Mickey Covarrubio lead off with a double to left center field and then scored the first run of the game on a single up the middle by freshman designated player Olivia Zufelt.

CSUN responded in the top of the second inning tying the game up at 1-1. The Matadors took the lead in the top of the third when they scored two-runs and then added five more runs in the top of the fourth.

GCU fought back in the bottom of the sixth as Tourville hit a two-out double to left field and then Nicoletti followed with a single down the left field line. Dietrich continued the rally with a base hit of her own scoring Tourville.

Freshman right fielder Jaiden Reid led of the bottom of the seventh with a single to right field and junior catcher Lilly Bishop followed with a single up the middle to give the Lopes some momentum. A pinch-hit single to left field by junior Kaliegh Holland loaded the bases for the Lopes with two outs. Tourville drew a walk to score Reid and then Nicoletti singled up the middle to score GCU's final run of the game.

The Lopes travel to Fullerton, California for the Judi Garman Classic beginning on Friday, February 28^th with Colorado State at 2:30 p.m.